Quebec Vacations

Quebec is the largest province of Canada and it is the only one where French is the official language. Over half of the landscape of Quebec Canada is covered in forests. And within the forest regions of Quebec there are 24 national parks, numerous hiking trails, beautiful lakes and amazing scenery all of which contribute to the enjoyment of family vacations in Quebec. The largest national park in Quebec is Mont Tremblant which covers 932 square miles and is located north of Montreal. There are over half a million lakes located within Quebec plus 4,500 rivers which means that an area the size of Germany is covered in water. The Saint Lawrence River Valley; which stretches along the southern region of Quebec, includes the St Lawrence River and the Bay of St Lawrence. Quebec is an area that includes 10 National Parks, 13 species of whales, and a lighthouse trail with over 40 lighthouses. The St Lawrence River Valley is also the home of the majority of the population in Quebec.

Destinations for Quebec vacations

Ideas for Quebec vacations

GEOGRAPHY OF QUEBEC VACATIONS

The largest province in the country, Quebec is truly a massive place that is filled with a diverse set of animals and flora and fauna. In fact, the province is roughly three times the size of France! The province sits on the Atlantic Ocean and enjoys being the gateway to Ontario and the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway. The province actually has three main climate areas. The southern and western portions of the province, where the vast majority of the province lives, enjoys a humid continental climate with temperatures ranging from -20 in the winter up to 40 in the summer. Central Quebec enjoys a subarctic climate and has infamously long and cold winters, making ski vacations in Quebec very very popular. Northern Quebec has an arctic climate, and enjoys extremely cold winters, reaching temperatures below -30 in the dead of winter. The province's population is centred in the south, with the two largest cities being Montreal and the provincial capital Quebec.

CULTURE OF QUEBEC VACATIONS

Quebec is unilingual in its nature, and 95% of its citizens speak French. History has made Quebec a meeting place of cultures, and you can still see that today with large ethnic populations from the Caribbean and Africa as well as other ethnic minorities that dot the Montreal and Quebec streets. The culture of Quebec can be best described as a homogenous socially liberal counterculture as compared to the rest of the country. Quebec has a diverse background, and it makes it the perfect hot spot for social change and workers rights. The music and art scene is one of the best in the world, and the food in Quebec is true to die for. Make sure to keep an eye out for Quebec dairy products, they are just simply the best. Plus, if you are a fan of comedy, the world-famous Just for Laughs Festival is put on every summer, and there are always a tonne of festivals and events going on all year round.

HISTORY OF QUEBEC VACATIONS

Quebec Canada has been home to first nation populations for eons, and these peoples dominated the local landscape with their access to both freshwater and ocean creatures, as well as a large game that roamed the area. However, this would all change with the first contact from European explorers. The first European to claim the land for the nation of France was Jacque Cartier. He would then do two other voyages and further explore throughout the St. Lawrence region. By the end of the 17th century, there were over 10,000 French settlers in the St. Lawrence area. The pattern of settlement followed the fur and cod routes, but the vast majority of these settlers continued to farm on the fertile land. Almost a century later, Samuel de Champlain started the foundation that would turn into New France. The area would continue to be French dominated until 1791 when France succeeded the territory to the British as part of the Treaty of Paris. A century or so later, the French culture had remained, and Quebec became part of the newly founded Dominion of Canada in 1867, enshrining the French language and culture into the constitution. Since then Quebec has had a rocky relationship with the rest of the country, two separation attempts and French language laws continue to sour the relationship between the federal and provincial government. The province is an essential; part of Canada, but continued to this day to struggle with the French and English divide.

LANDMARKS OF QUEBEC VACATIONS

Montreal Botanical GardensLocated just outside of downtown Montreal, the Montreal Botanical Gardens are always worth a visit on a summer’s day. With well over 75 hectares of gardens and greenhouses, you will need to bring your walking shoes. The Insectarium has one of the largest collections of insects in North America, and you cannot miss the Japanese garden! This facility was actually made a National Historic Site of Canada in 2008 due to its importance as a world botanical garden for its collection and facilities. These gardens are the perfect destination for family vacations in Quebec.

Citadel de QuebecCompleted in 1832, the Citadel de Quebec sits high upon the Cap Diamante in Quebec. The area is of strategic importance due to its location at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River and offered an almost 360-degree view of the river basin and surrounding land. The fortress was further strengthened in 1850 by the British due to concerns that the Americans would attempt a second attack of Canada. Today the Citadel is the summer home of the Governor General of Canada and the permanent home to the 22nd Van Doos Regiment of the Canadian Army. You will be able to enjoy the restored citadel fortifications, an amazing military museum and the restored powder magazine during one of the guided tours

Forillon National ParkLocated in the Gaspe region of Quebec, Forillon National Park covers almost 245 square kilometres of land and 4.5 square kilometres of marine area. The park is one of the most stunning in the country, and visitors from Canada and abroad have fallen in love here. The site itself contains some amazing wildlife and plant life, as well as numerous hikes that will take you alongside the ocean cliffs, and through dense forest. The park is also home to the only preserved World War II battery in Quebec and some amazing geological phenomena that allows you to see fossils that date back up to 500 million years. Whether you spend a day or a week in Forillon, you will quickly see why so many have fallen in love with the area.